Motive vs Samsara ELD: Which Is Better for Your Fleet?

Quick Verdict

Motive and Samsara are two of the biggest names in fleet management, but they are built for different operations. Here is the short version before we dig into the details.

	Motive	Samsara
Our Score	4.2 / 5	4.4 / 5
Badge	Best Value Features	Best Enterprise Platform
Starting Price	$20-25/vehicle/month	$27-33/vehicle/month
Hardware Cost	$150 (free promos available)	$99-148 per vehicle gateway
Contract Length	1 year (auto-renewal)	3 years (standard)
AI Dashcam	AI Omnicam (included at Plus tier)	CM32/CM52 (add-on purchase)
GPS Update Frequency	Standard (30-60 second intervals)	1-second updates
Integrations	Standard fleet tools	200+ TMS/ERP integrations
BBB Rating	D- (not accredited)	A+ (accredited since 2019)
Trustpilot Score	1.7 / 5	3.5 / 5
Best For	Budget-conscious small fleets wanting value	Growing fleets wanting an all-in-one platform

The bottom line: Motive offers more affordable entry pricing and strong technology, but comes with serious contract and customer service concerns. Samsara delivers a more polished platform with better reliability and support, but the 3-year commitment and higher cost make it a tough fit for smaller operations. Your decision comes down to budget, fleet size, and how much you value contract flexibility versus platform depth.

For a broader look at the full ELD market, see our ELD provider comparison.

ELD Hardware and Device Quality

Both companies sell plug-and-play vehicle gateways that connect to your truck's diagnostic port. Neither requires professional installation. That is where the similarities end.

Motive's Vehicle Gateway costs $150 at list price, though the company regularly runs free hardware promotions. ³ The device plugs into your 9-pin or 6-pin connector and pairs with the Motive driver app on any iOS or Android phone. Setup takes under an hour for most drivers. The gateway handles ELD logging, GPS tracking, and engine diagnostics over a cellular connection.

Samsara's Vehicle Gateway runs $99 to $148 depending on the model and order volume. ⁴ The VG54, their newer gateway, adds satellite connectivity for areas with poor cellular coverage -- a feature that matters if your routes include remote stretches in the West or through mountain passes. Like Motive, the device pairs with a mobile app and records all the standard ELD data points.

On dashcam hardware, the two take different approaches. Motive bundles its AI Omnicam into the Plus subscription tier, giving you 360-degree camera coverage (road, cabin, and both sides) without buying separate camera units. Samsara sells its cameras separately: the front-facing CM32 starts at $299 and the dual-facing CM52 at $399, plus ongoing monthly fees for video features. The CM72 adds 360-degree coverage at an even higher price point.

Edge: Draw. Samsara's satellite-capable gateway is a genuine advantage for remote operations. Motive's bundled dashcam approach simplifies the purchase decision. Hardware quality is solid from both companies.

Pricing and Contract Terms

This is where the comparison gets interesting, and where most small fleet owners need to pay the closest attention.

Monthly Costs

Motive offers three tiers:

Tier	Price	What You Get
Starter	$20-25/vehicle/month	Basic ELD, GPS tracking, standard reporting
Plus	$35-40/vehicle/month	AI dashcam, IFTA reporting, maintenance management
Enterprise	$45-50+/vehicle/month	Custom integrations, dedicated support, advanced analytics

Samsara uses a simpler structure:

Tier	Price	What You Get
Standard Fleet	$27-33/vehicle/month	ELD, 1-second GPS, IFTA reporting, fleet management
Complete Platform	Custom pricing	AI dashcams, advanced maintenance, API integrations

For basic ELD and GPS, Motive is cheaper -- $20-25 versus $27-33 per vehicle. Once you add dashcam capability, the gap narrows. Motive's Plus tier at $35-40 includes the AI Omnicam. Samsara's Standard Fleet plan at $27-33 does not include dashcams, so you need to factor in the hardware cost and additional monthly fees for video features.

3-Year Cost for a 5-Truck Fleet

Here is what the math looks like for a small fleet on a full-feature plan:

	Motive (Plus)	Samsara (Standard Fleet)
Hardware (5 trucks)	$0-750	$495-740
Monthly fees (36 months)	$6,300-7,200	$4,860-5,940
Dashcam hardware	Included in Plus	$1,495-1,995 (CM32 x5)
3-Year Total	$6,300-7,950	$6,850-8,675
Per truck/month (all-in)	$35-44	$38-48

The pricing is closer than the headline rates suggest once you compare equivalent feature sets. Samsara's base rate is higher but includes features like 1-second GPS that Motive does not match at any tier.

Contract Terms -- Read This Carefully

Samsara requires a 3-year contract for most customers. They offer a 30-day trial period to evaluate the system before the full commitment kicks in. Once you are past that window, you are locked in for 36 months. This is upfront and non-negotiable for most fleet sizes.

Motive offers 1-year base contracts, which sounds more flexible. Here is the catch: Motive's automatic renewal clauses have generated hundreds of complaints. Users report signing what they thought were 1-year agreements that rolled into multi-year commitments through fine print they missed. The D- BBB rating exists in large part because of these disputes.

So you have a choice: Samsara tells you upfront that you are signing for 3 years. Motive offers a shorter initial term but has a documented pattern of trapping customers through renewal mechanics. Neither approach is ideal for an owner-operator who values flexibility. If you want month-to-month terms, neither of these providers is the right answer -- check our ELD buying guide for options with no long-term contracts.

Edge: Samsara -- not because a 3-year contract is great, but because at least you know what you are signing. Motive's contract practices have caused too many problems for too many small operators.

Mobile App and Driver Experience

Your drivers interact with the ELD app multiple times per shift. A bad app means frustrated drivers, wasted time, and more support calls to your desk. Both companies have invested heavily here, but the results differ.

Motive's app scores 4.4 out of 5 on the iOS App Store. Drivers generally find it easy to use for duty status changes, DVIRs, and log review. The interface is straightforward -- large buttons, clear labels, minimal taps to complete common tasks. Two-way messaging, document capture for BOLs and receipts, and proof of delivery all run through the same app.

Samsara's app scores 4.8 out of 5 on iOS from over 25,000 ratings, and 4.19 on Google Play from about 8,700 ratings. The higher rating reflects a polished interface and reliable performance. Drivers can complete HOS logging, DVIRs, messaging, and document capture without issues. The real-time GPS display is noticeably more responsive than Motive's thanks to the 1-second update interval.

Both apps handle DOT inspection mode, allowing drivers to present their logs to enforcement officers directly from their phone. ² Both support offline operation when cellular connectivity drops, syncing data once the connection returns.

The practical difference comes down to reliability. Samsara's 99.99% uptime guarantee extends to the app experience. Motive's app works well for most users, but does not carry the same uptime commitment. When your ELD app freezes during a roadside inspection, that is not an inconvenience -- it is a compliance problem. Use our HOS hours remaining calculator to understand how even small disruptions can cascade into violations.

Edge: Samsara. The app ratings speak for themselves, and the reliability backing matters in daily operations.

Fleet Management Features

If all you need is an ELD that logs hours and passes inspection, you are overpaying with either of these platforms. Both Motive and Samsara are full fleet management systems. Here is how they compare on the features that matter beyond basic compliance.

GPS Tracking

Motive provides real-time GPS with standard update intervals (typically every 30-60 seconds). You get vehicle location, geofencing alerts, idle time monitoring, and historical route playback. For most small fleet operations, this is sufficient.

Samsara updates GPS every second. That difference matters when a customer calls asking for an ETA and your dispatcher needs to know exactly where the truck is right now -- not where it was a minute ago. Geofence triggers are instant instead of delayed. For time-sensitive delivery operations or yard management, 1-second GPS is a genuine operational advantage.

Dashcam and Video Safety

Motive's AI Omnicam captures 360-degree video and uses AI to detect phone use, drowsiness, tailgating, hard braking, and close following. Drivers get real-time in-cab audio alerts. Video uploads automatically for fleet manager review. The system is bundled at the Plus tier with no separate hardware purchase needed.

Samsara's dashcam lineup (CM32, CM52, CM72) offers similar AI detection capabilities with front-facing, dual-facing, and 360-degree options. The AI catches phone use, drowsy driving, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and stop sign violations. Like Motive, events are flagged automatically with coaching opportunities. The key difference is that Samsara's cameras are separate hardware purchases with their own add-on fees.

Both camera systems produce footage suitable for accident reconstruction and insurance claims. Both have demonstrated measurable improvements in driver safety scores when paired with active coaching programs.

DVIR and Maintenance

Both platforms offer digital DVIR completion through the driver app and engine fault code monitoring that alerts you before small problems turn into roadside breakdowns. Preventive maintenance scheduling ties into vehicle diagnostics on both systems.

Dispatch and Communication

Both provide two-way messaging, load assignments, and document capture. Motive includes asset tracking and temperature monitoring for reefer operations. Samsara's 200+ integrations give it a significant advantage if you need your ELD platform to talk to your TMS, ERP, payroll, or accounting system. For a 3-truck operation, those integrations are overkill. For a 15-truck fleet with established back-office systems, they can eliminate hours of duplicate data entry.

IFTA Reporting

Both automatically track miles by jurisdiction and generate IFTA-ready reports for quarterly filing. Motive includes this at the Plus tier. Samsara includes it in the Standard Fleet plan. Neither requires manual mileage tracking, which saves hours every quarter.

Edge: Samsara for growing fleets that need integrations and real-time GPS precision. Motive for small operations where the bundled dashcam and lower price point matter more than integration depth.

Customer Support and Reliability

This category produces the widest gap in the entire comparison, and it is not close.

The Numbers

Metric	Motive	Samsara
BBB Rating	D- (not accredited) 6	A+ (accredited since 2019) 5
Trustpilot	1.7 / 5 (2,300+ reviews)	3.5 / 5 (491 reviews)
Capterra	4.5 / 5 (2,439 reviews)	Strong ratings
iOS App Store	4.4 / 5	4.8 / 5 (25,000+ ratings)
G2 Fleet Management	Highly rated	#1 ranked (99/100)
Uptime Guarantee	None published	99.99% documented

What the Reviews Say

Motive's review profile is split in a way that should concern anyone signing a contract. On platforms measuring product quality (Capterra, G2), Motive scores well. On platforms measuring the overall business relationship (Trustpilot, BBB), Motive scores poorly. The pattern in negative reviews is consistent: smooth sales experience, easy setup, then problems with billing, contract disputes, and cancellation. Customer service quality reportedly drops after the initial sale. Users describe months-long battles to terminate service and disputed charges sent to collections.

Samsara's reviews are more consistent across platforms. The A+ BBB rating with accreditation means the company has committed to resolving complaints through the BBB process. Trustpilot at 3.5 is not perfect, and some users report variable support response times. But the gap between Samsara's worst scores and Motive's worst scores is significant.

Both Motive and Samsara appear on the FMCSA's official list of registered ELDs, confirming they meet the technical specifications required under the ELD mandate. ¹

Samsara's status as a publicly traded company adds another layer. Their financials are audited, SEC filings are public, and you can evaluate their long-term viability yourself. For a multi-year contract, that transparency matters. Motive is private with a planned IPO, so you have less visibility into their financial health.

Edge: Samsara, by a wide margin. The D- to A+ BBB gap alone tells you what you need to know about how these two companies handle the customer relationship.

Scalability: Solo Operator vs Growing Fleet

For a Single Owner-Operator

Neither Motive nor Samsara is the ideal choice for a solo operator who just needs to stay compliant.

Motive's Starter tier at $20-25 per month is affordable, but the contract risks are amplified when you are a one-truck operation with no legal department. If your plans change -- you lease on to a carrier that provides an ELD, you sell the truck, you take time off -- being locked into a Motive contract with difficult cancellation is a real problem.

Samsara's 3-year contract and $27-33 per month pricing are built for fleets, not solo operators. The platform's depth (200+ integrations, advanced analytics) goes unused when you are the driver, dispatcher, and back office all in one.

An owner-operator looking for basic compliance should read our ELD buying guide and consider options with no long-term contracts and lower monthly costs.

For a Small Fleet (2-10 Trucks)

This is where the comparison gets meaningful.

Motive's sweet spot is the 2-10 truck fleet that wants solid technology at a lower price point and is willing to manage the contract carefully. At $35-40 per truck on the Plus tier, you get ELD, GPS, dashcam, IFTA, and maintenance tools for less than Samsara's equivalent setup. If you have someone who will read the contract word-for-word, get renewal terms in writing, and calendar every notification deadline, Motive delivers strong value.

Samsara's sweet spot starts at the upper end of this range and extends well beyond it. A 7-10 truck fleet that expects to grow over the next three years benefits from the platform's scalability, integration depth, and support infrastructure. The 3-year contract aligns naturally with a growing operation that plans to keep adding trucks. The higher per-truck cost buys you 1-second GPS, 99.99% uptime, and a vendor relationship that the review data suggests will be less contentious.

For Scaling Beyond 10 Trucks

Samsara pulls ahead for operations planning significant growth. The 200+ integrations become relevant once you have TMS and accounting systems that need to share data with your fleet platform. Enterprise support tiers with dedicated account management become available. The platform was designed for this scale, and it shows.

Motive can handle larger fleets technically, but the customer service complaints at scale raise questions. If resolving a billing error on one truck takes a month, imagine that problem multiplied across 20 trucks.

Which Is Better for Your Situation?

Best for a single owner-operator: Neither

Both platforms are more than a solo operator needs, and both come with contract commitments that limit flexibility. Consider a simpler, no-contract ELD first. If you still want one of these two, Motive's Starter tier is the more affordable option -- but read every line of the contract and understand the renewal terms before signing. Our ELD provider comparison covers the full range of options from budget to premium.

Best for a small fleet (2-10 trucks): Motive

For fleets in this range on a tight budget, Motive's Plus tier delivers the best feature-to-cost ratio. The AI Omnicam, IFTA automation, and maintenance tools at $35-40 per truck per month compete with products costing significantly more. The critical requirement: have the contract reviewed by an attorney or at minimum read every clause yourself and get renewal terms confirmed in writing.

Best for basic ELD compliance only: Neither

If all you need is a device that logs hours, records location, and transfers data during inspections, you are paying a premium for features you will not use with either provider. A dedicated compliance-only ELD will cost you less per month or nothing per month after the hardware purchase. Check our ELD buying guide for recommendations on simpler options.

Best for an all-in-one fleet platform: Samsara

If you want a single system handling ELD, GPS, video safety, IFTA, maintenance, dispatch, and integrations with your existing business software, Samsara is the stronger choice. The 99.99% uptime, 1-second GPS, 200+ integrations, and A+ BBB rating make it the platform you can build your operation around. The 3-year commitment is real, but for a fleet that will actually use the platform's depth, the value is there.

---

Get our free ELD comparison spreadsheet -- updated monthly. We track pricing changes, contract terms, and feature updates across every major ELD provider so you do not have to. Sign up for the Small Fleet HQ email list and we will send it to your inbox.

---

Our Verdict

After 25 years in this industry, I have seen plenty of technology battles where the best product does not always win. Motive and Samsara both build strong products. They differ in how they treat customers after the sale, and that difference matters more than any feature comparison chart.

Samsara earns the overall recommendation for fleets that can afford the investment and plan to stay with a platform for at least three years. The 4.4 out of 5 score, 99.99% uptime, A+ BBB rating, and top-ranked G2 status reflect a company that delivers on its promises at both the product and relationship level. The 3-year contract is a real commitment, but at least it is a transparent one.

Motive earns the value recommendation for budget-conscious small fleets that need more features for less money. The 4.2 out of 5 score and Best Value Features badge reflect genuinely strong technology at competitive pricing. But the D- BBB rating, 1.7 Trustpilot score, and contract complaints mean you are taking on relationship risk to get that value. Read our full Motive review before making a decision, and have an attorney review any contract.

Here is the honest truth: if Motive fixed its business practices, this would be a much closer comparison. The technology is competitive. The pricing is better for small fleets. But when hundreds of customers report the same pattern of contract traps, billing disputes, and cancellation battles, that risk has to factor into your decision. Technology you cannot exit cleanly is not really a bargain.

For small fleet owners who are still deciding which direction to go, here is my advice:

1. If you have 2-5 trucks and a tight budget, start with Motive's Plus tier -- but treat the contract like a legal document, because it is one. Get everything in writing.
2. If you have 5-10 trucks and plan to grow, Samsara's upfront investment pays off through reliability, scalability, and a vendor relationship that the data suggests will be less adversarial.
3. If you are a solo operator, neither of these is your best first choice. Get compliant with a simpler, no-contract ELD and save the platform purchase for when your fleet justifies it.
4. If contract flexibility is your top priority, look elsewhere entirely. Both of these providers lock you in. Our ELD buying guide covers options with month-to-month terms.

Whatever you choose, the worst decision is signing a multi-year agreement you did not fully read. Take the time. Read the terms. Ask questions. Then commit with your eyes open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Motive or Samsara cheaper for a small fleet?

Motive is cheaper. Its Starter plan runs $20-25 per vehicle per month for basic ELD and GPS, and the Plus tier with dashcam and IFTA runs $35-40. Samsara starts at $27-33 per vehicle per month for its Standard Fleet plan before dashcam add-ons. Over a 3-year period for a 5-truck fleet, the difference can be $3,000-$6,000 depending on which tiers and add-ons you select.

Can I get out of a Samsara or Motive contract early?

Both companies make early termination difficult. Samsara requires a 3-year minimum commitment for most customers with limited flexibility on shorter terms. Motive offers 1-year base contracts, but automatic renewal clauses can extend your commitment unexpectedly. Both charge early termination fees that can equal the remaining contract value. Read every word before signing either agreement.

Which ELD has better customer support, Motive or Samsara?

Samsara has a stronger support track record overall. It holds an A+ BBB rating with accreditation, compared to Motive's D- BBB rating without accreditation. Samsara's Trustpilot score is 3.5 out of 5 versus Motive's 1.7. That said, both companies receive mixed reviews on support quality, and smaller operations may get less attention than large enterprise accounts at either provider.

Do Motive and Samsara both offer dashcam integration?

Yes. Motive offers its AI Omnicam system with 360-degree coverage, available on the Plus tier ($35-40/month) and above. Samsara offers AI-powered dashcams as an add-on: the front-facing CM32 starts at $299 and the dual-facing CM52 at $399 for hardware, plus additional monthly fees. Both systems use AI to detect distracted driving, drowsiness, and other risky behaviors with real-time in-cab alerts.

What happens if I only need basic ELD compliance without extras?

Neither Motive nor Samsara is the most cost-effective choice for bare-minimum ELD compliance. Both are full fleet management platforms with pricing that reflects their feature depth. If you only need a device that logs your hours and passes inspection, consider a simpler option like Garmin eLog ($249.99, no monthly fee) or BigRoad ($19.99/month, no contract). Read our ELD buying guide for a full breakdown of what to look for.